Camouflage (Querio Series #3)

Kabanata 35

Kabanata 35
Fall

Victoria woke up very weak after three days. Una niyang nakita ang ama na nakaupo sa katabing silya ng kanyang kama. She groaned. Mabilis na umalis si Manang para maghanap ng doktor.

"Hija," the old judge said and held her hand.

Hinawakan ni Victoria pabalik ang ama at kunot noong nagsalita.

"Why are you here, Dad." Aniya sa mababang boses.

The judge went to Ameriaca last week. Masyadong delikado ito para sa matandang hukom kaya naman labis ang kanyang pagtataka sa matanda.

"I went home. How can I not, Hija? My daughter was fighting for her life for the last three days." Ani Judge at nagsalin ang tubig sa baso. Nilagyan niya iyon ng straw para makainom ang dalaga.

She gulped the water like a very thirsty woman. Dumating rin ang nurse para sa pagkain niya at wala pang ilang minuto ay naubos niya ito.

"Where's Olivia? Ligtas ba siya?" She asked when she remembered.

Tumango anga matanda.

"Yes, Kristoff is keeping her safe. Don't worry about her. You should think of recovering..." Utos ni Judge.

Nakahinga ng maluwag si Victoria. At least she was safe. Hindi niya mapapatawad ang sarili niya kung may mangyayaring masama sa kanya.

Bumukas ang pintuan at doon nakita si Jack kasama si Gregory. May kasama itong doctor at isang nurse.

"Tori, " puno ng pag-aalalang tawag ni Jack at pumunta na sa tabihan niya.

Gregory remained on the door. Seryoso at tahimik ang binata habang chinecheck siya ng  doctor. Victoria's eyes remained on him kahit pa sumasagot ito sa mga tanong ng doctor.

Hindi niya maintindihan ang sasabihin. Kakaiba at tila hindi mabasa ang galaw at reaksyon ni Gregory. The last time they saw each other, nagkakatampuhan sila.

"You should stay here for the meantime. You regained your consciousness but yout body has to keep up. You're almost drained when you arrived here at the hospital. It's good thing, that you were on time or else we may lose you." Anang Doctor.

"Maraming salamat, Doc." Sabi ni Jack nang magpaalam ito at sabihing imomonitor niya ang kalagayan ng dalaga.

The room went silent. Mukhang nahimigan ni Jack ang pangangapa ng dalawa kaya naman minabuti niyang tumikhim para makuha ang mga atensyon nila.

"Dad, I think we need to go outside to grab a bite and to buy foods for the visitors. What do you think?" Jack said.

Nilingon ni Tori ang ama. The old judge looked at Victoria then back to Gregory. Mukhang nakuha nitp ang nais na iparating ni Jack. He agreed and they both went out.

Huminga ng malalim si Victoria at pinilit na bumangon. Gregpry was quick enough to assist her. Matapos iyon ay nanatili itong nakatayo sa kanyang tabihan.

"You may sit, Greg." Ani Victoria.

"Right." Doon pa lang tila natauhan si Gregory at umupo na.

Pinagmasdan ni Tori ang mukha ni Gregory. Tahimik ito at tila ba ay may mabigat na dinadala.

"Are you okay?" Tanong niya.

Kunot noo at madiin ang mga panga ni Gregory nang magsalita ito.

"I should be asking you that, Tori. You almost ended up dead!"  Tila sumabog na bulkan si Gregory.

Gulat na gulat si Victoria rito. She inhaled. Yes, she knew that she had been shot six times before she blacked out. Pero wala na atang mas sasaya pa sa kanya. Gregory was so frustrated. And truth to be told, she finds him super charming whenever he's like this.